1912 T207 Brown Background Paddy Livingston - All Three Variations

Paddy Livingston is the only player in the T207 Brown Background set who is represented by three slightly different variations: "A"on shirt, large "C" on shirt, and small "C" on shirt." In the old days, the "A" on shirt variety was always been considered one of the rarest cards in the set, but few collectors in the old days fully realized that there were two completely different "C" varieties (large "C" and small "C"). Paddy Livingston was with the Philadelphia A's in 1911; he moved to the Cleveland Americans in 1912, the result of a sale by the A's in the off season while the T207 set was being created, thus causing the need for change on the logo of his uniform on his card in the set, which was issued early in 1912. Presented is a complete set of all three Paddy Livingston variations from the classic T207 Brown Background series, all graded and encapsulated by PSA: 1) "A" on shirt – PSA VG-EX 4. Only three examples graded higher by PSA. This is a very clean example with virtually flawless registration, and light, even corner wear. Centered 30/70 left to right. The back has light diagonal creases near the upper left and right corners, otherwise perfectly clean. 2) Large "C" on shirt – PSA VG 3. Bright and crisp, with perfect registration, brilliant colors, no creases, and evenly rounded corners. The reverse is perfectly clean with bold black text. 3) Small "C" on shirt – PSA EX-MT 6. Highest graded example! The "A" on shirt variety has traditionally always been considered the rarer of the three cards, but with fourteen "A" on shirt cards listed in the PSA population report, and only five small "C" on shirt varieties listed, the PSA population report strongly suggests that the small "C" variety is truly the rarest of the three variations, and that its rarity has been the result of being overlooked due to confusion with the large "C" variety. Our theory regarding the small "C" on shirt variety of Livingston is that the "A" was first replaced with a small "C" but the outline of the large "A" from the original card design was still very prominent (the outline of the "A" can easily be seen in the background of the small "C" card). To attempt to remedy the prominence of the white shadow of a large "A" in the background, the small "C" was replaced with a large "C" which was much more prominent. The "A" can still be seen in the background of the large "C" variety, but because it is so much bigger and bolder, it it far less prominent. We will probably never know for sure, but this is our best guess as to what may have occurred, and a reasonable theory we do not believe has ever been presented before. This PSA EX-MT 6 Livingston small "C" on shirt card is a beautiful example. It is centered slightly to the bottom left with only a hint of light wear to the corners, and a tiny corner crease in the extreme upper left corner (so minor it may not be fair to call it a crease). The back is bright and clean and is centered to the left. For the T207 set builder seeking to fill in these difficult slots, or as a fascinating trio of cards that tells a story, this collection presents an exceptional and very rare opportunity to acquire all three varieties of Paddy Livingston from the T207 set. We don't believe guide prices are accurate on these cards. The small "C" variety in the SMR, for example, lists for only $250 in this grade, less than half of what the far more common large "C" variety lists for in the same grade. Whatever they are worth, we think this is a very interesting group, and we are confident the auction process will provide clarity. Total 3 cards. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000+.SOLD FOR $1,528

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